National Lobster Day: Where to Eat in NYC

June 15 is National Lobster Day and the start of the season for enjoying these tasty crustaceans.

Chow down at one of New York City’s locally owned and operated lobster outposts in all five boroughs, and eat better and cheaper than at the national seafood chains.

Whether you prefer your lobster steamed or in tucked in a roll, here’s where to find your lobster :

Luke’s Lobster

Now a mini-chain with several locations around town, Luke’s prides itself on sustainable seafood practices. Maybe that’s why their lobster rolls taste so good. Or maybe its their proprietary secret seasoning. Or both. Their rolls ($17) include both butter and mayo, and they’ve recently added lobster tails to the menu, served cold with lemon butter dipping.

Luke’s Lobster also has locations in Boston, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and in Japan, where lobster sushi is a favorite.

Red Hook Lobster Pound

Lobster rolls range from $16 to $20, served with house-made mayo.

Three restaurant locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, including at the South Street Seaport, plus food trucks and stalls at Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea on weekends.

Burger & Lobster

There are only three things on the menu: lobster, lobster rolls and burgers, plus an extensive micro-beer and wine list. Each of the dishes costs $20 and is served with a hefty helping of fries and a salad. The lobster is a generous one-pound-plus, the lobster rolls are stuffed to the brim with meaty chunks, and the burger is prime hand-cut Nebraska beef that my German butcher father would approve of.

In addition to the original location in Flatiiron, at 39 W. 19th St., Burger & Lobster has opened two Times Square locations, at 132 W. 43rd St. and One Bryant Park.

Lobster rolls, lobster tacos ($21.95 each) and more at the only floating lobster house in NYC, operated by Circle Line. Take your pick of eating on the top deck when the boat is moored, or during a dinner cruise in warm weather season. Our vote goes to the top deck, especially at sunset.

This is a combo fish market and restaurant/raw bar makes sourcing sustainable seafood its main mission, so your lobster is ethically caught. It’s wholesale division supplies many top NYC restaurants with the freshest catch for their menus. They serve 1 1/2 pound lobster simply with lemon and drawn butter.

Famous for its enormous menu of fish seafood dishes, its fresh-caught selections, and waterfront views. Choose your lobster size, starting at 1 1/4 pounds for $24.95, steamed or broiled, adding crabmeat for another $9.95.

With two locations on Staten Island, this seafood-centric restaurant serves up whole lobsters steamed or boiled, lobster tails, and even stuffed lobsters. The Lobster Dinner (MP) is served simply with lemon and plenty of butter. Add crab meat and bread crumbs stuffing for an extra $5.99.

The Poissonnerie section of this giant French food hall in Brookfield Place offers lobster rolls for $18. The market also sells whole fresh lobsters ($14.95/pound) for you to try your hand at steaming or baking the crustaceans at home.

Lobster rolls are stuffed to the brim with chucks of claw meat, but it’s up to you to decide whether that’s worth the hefty $30 pricetag. But, then, everything around the High Line is extra pricey these days.

This hotel serves up Maine Lobster Roll ($17) made up of lobster, celery leaves and truffle aioli on a Balthazar bun. Have one while you chill poolside for the day. A pool day pass for a weekday is $55 for non-hotel guests.

Get a front row seat on Jamaica Bay at this waterfront bar and restaurant. Big appetites can chow down on The Lobster Boil, which includes 1 1/4 lb. lobster, mussels, clams, corn the cob, boiled potatoes, and drawn butter for $35, or a classic Lobster Roll and slaw for $20. If you’re with a group, share one of the seafood towers, The Dock ($54) or The Pier ($95), featuring lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, oysters and crab.

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